Please suggest a good setup under 40-45K

[stryik3r]

Hi

I'd like to buy a good set of speakers. My current budget is under 40K, i can stretch it up to 45K.

I am only looking for speakers that could connect with my computer. I have Asus Xonar STX sound card. I mostly listen to trance songs/A.R Rahman music and sometimes classical songs.

I'd prefer speakers which i could easily connect with my computer/sound card and they are not massive in size.

Any suggestions, ideas are welcome .
I appreciate your help and time. Thanks!

 

[efernand1]

Hi

There are a lot of computer speakers available. You could look at the 2.0 or 2.1 setups. Creative T20s or T40s work quite well and are priced around 7k and 12k respectively.

Similarly, there are other brands like Roland, Bose, Yamaha and Audio Engine

Amazon.in: audioengine a5

Depending on your budget, you can select, read online reviews and see a couple of YouTube videos and take an appropriate decision.

 

[Bharadwaj Bunga]

I'd like to buy a good set of speakers. My current budget is under 40K, i can stretch it up to 45K.

Are you looking for active speaker systems? If yes, 2.1 or 5.1 system?

When you are spending 40K, I suggest you to look into Component setup rather than active speakers.

Though the setup is a bit intricate compared to active speakers, the efforts would be worth the SQ it produces.

 

[stryik3r]

Hi

There are a lot of computer speakers available. You could look at the 2.0 or 2.1 setups. Creative T20s or T40s work quite well and are priced around 7k and 12k respectively.

Similarly, there are other brands like Roland, Bose, Yamaha and Audio Engine

Amazon.in: audioengine a5

Depending on your budget, you can select, read online reviews and see a couple of YouTube videos and take an appropriate decision.

I am do considering AE5+ . I will probably audition them today and will post the feedback. Thanks.

 

[stryik3r]

Are you looking for active speaker systems? If yes, 2.1 or 5.1 system?

When you are spending 40K, I suggest you to look into Component setup rather than active speakers.

Though the setup is a bit intricate compared to active speakers, the efforts would be worth the SQ it produces.

Component setup means passive speakers with separate amplifier ?

If yes, which options do you suggest that'd fit under my budget ?. Also, i am not sure whether to go with 2.1 or 5.1 setup. They are mostly meant for music listening. What do you suggest ?

Thanks.

 

[Bharadwaj Bunga]

Component setup means passive speakers with separate amplifier ?

Yes, that is what it means

If yes, which options do you suggest that'd fit under my budget ?

Denon X-500 and Boston Acoustics Soundware XS-5.1 (This combo costs 45500 and is the best VFM package at the moment)

Also,i am not sure whether to go with 2.1 or 5.1 setup. They are mostly meant for music listening.What do you suggest

Music is best enjoyed with a pair of high quality speakers but you can add a subwoofer if you're a bass lover. 5.1 is intended for movies but still you can use it for music.

 

[stryik3r]

Yes, that is what it means



Denon X-500 and Boston Acoustics Soundware XS-5.1 (This combo costs 45500 and is the best VFM package at the moment)



Music is best enjoyed with a pair of high quality speakers but you can add a subwoofer if you're a bass lover. 5.1 is intended for movies but still you can use it for music.

The combo you have suggested sounds promising. How do they perform ? Are there any reviews of this combo ? Its very hard to audition them.
Also, you mentioned, the price would be 45,500. May i ask where did you purchase this combo ?

Thanks

 

[Bharadwaj Bunga]

The combo you have suggested sounds promising. How do they perform ? Are there any reviews of this combo ? Its very hard to audition them.
Also, you mentioned, the price would be 45,500. May i ask where did you purchase this combo ?

Reviews: Whathifi, Amazon User reviews

Don't rely on reviews, purchase only after auditioning. AFAIK, in Delhi "Bass N Treble" stocks'em and you can audition the combo at their place.

I bought XS-5.1 package from HiFiMart and Denon X-500 from a Mumbai based dealer.

 

[stryik3r]

Thanks for the links. I guess i'd stick with 2.0 setup. I need accurate sounding speakers with good midrange and tight and punchy bass.

Any suggestions ? So far, ive shortlisted swans MKIII and audioengine a5+

 

[stryik3r]

Auditioned Audioengine AE5+ today. Not that impressed. They sound very loud and sharp.
Bass is good, but i guess they lack midranges.

What do you think ?

 

[stryik3r]

Auditioned Audioengine AE5+ today. Not that impressed. They sound very loud and sharp.
Bass is good, but i guess they lack midranges.

What do you think ?

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Auditioned Audioengine AE5+ today. Not that impressed. They sound very loud and sharp.
Bass is good, but i guess they lack midranges.

What do you think ?

How was Swan M200MKII as compared to Audioengine A5+?

 

[stryik3r]

Abhishek

In my opinion, Swan M200MKII produce very warm and natural sound very pleasing to ears.
However, they lack punch when you listen to music with bass content. Very good for low volume listening

Audioengine A5+ produce very tight bass which feels very good. However I didn't like mids that much. Given a choice, I'd go for Audioengine A5+ over Swan M200MKII.

I am not sure how well Swan M200MKIII perform over Audioengine A5+.

 

[shibashis]

Bose companion series computer speakers produce good bass performance but are not the best in other areas. Also as you can see in this forum people will suggest you to go with separates when it comes to proper listening.
I was for a long time into computer speakers, ran all kinds of experiments with different sound cards, different software enhancements and players and speakers. The best use of a computer in my opinion is as a source for your digital music and a good quality sound card as the DAC. Once you have that, move into separates for music listening. If you wish to enjoy movies too then opt for an entry level AVR and a 5.1 speaker combination. To start this will be a nice home-theater which a computer speaker package can not contend with. The PC's graphics card will be your source with HDMI.
For serious music listening though you must go with an amplifier and 2 bookshelf speakers, good speaker will not require a subwoofer at the moment.
If you wish to keep the option of movie experience for future then get a decent AVR, start with a pair of quality bookshelves as fronts now, as and when budget permits add a center channel, subwoofer and rears.
Or
Buy an integrated amplifier and a pair of bookshelves. This is best for music. Wharfedale, Dali Zensor series, MS Aviano 2 these are forum favourites and are great speakers to start. For amplifier you can go the used route, every now and then one pops up in the 'For Sale' section. Keep an eye out, or get a new Norge or Sonodyne. Amp + speaker, will be within your budget.
Trust me what you will experience is very much beyond anything mainstream computer speakers can offer.

All that I said are very standard advice here, if you search some threads you will find words akin to these are advised time and time again.

 

[stryik3r]

Bose companion series computer speakers produce good bass performance but are not the best in other areas. Also as you can see in this forum people will suggest you to go with separates when it comes to proper listening.
I was for a long time into computer speakers, ran all kinds of experiments with different sound cards, different software enhancements and players and speakers. The best use of a computer in my opinion is as a source for your digital music and a good quality sound card as the DAC. Once you have that, move into separates for music listening. If you wish to enjoy movies too then opt for an entry level AVR and a 5.1 speaker combination. To start this will be a nice home-theater which a computer speaker package can not contend with. The PC's graphics card will be your source with HDMI.
For serious music listening though you must go with an amplifier and 2 bookshelf speakers, good speaker will not require a subwoofer at the moment.
If you wish to keep the option of movie experience for future then get a decent AVR, start with a pair of quality bookshelves as fronts now, as and when budget permits add a center channel, subwoofer and rears.
Or
Buy an integrated amplifier and a pair of bookshelves. This is best for music. Wharfedale, Dali Zensor series, MS Aviano 2 these are forum favourites and are great speakers to start. For amplifier you can go the used route, every now and then one pops up in the 'For Sale' section. Keep an eye out, or get a new Norge or Sonodyne. Amp + speaker, will be within your budget.
Trust me what you will experience is very much beyond anything mainstream computer speakers can offer.

All that I said are very standard advice here, if you search some threads you will find words akin to these are advised time and time again.

Your recommendation seems very promising. My question is how do i connect amplifier+Bookshelves with my sound card(and will they connect with my sound card Asus Xonar STX ?). What cables do i need ? What settings do i need to use(Foobar,XONAR Audio) ?

For eg. If i want to increase the volume, do i need to turn knob on amplifier or on speakers ? Sorry for these noob questions. I don't have much experience in this field. That's why i was looking for a system that is fairly easy and quick to setup .

Which combo is the best if i go to this route ? Dali Zensor 1 + Denon AVR X - 500 ? Something like this or any other ?

Thanks.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

I strongly feel that you should stick with the active options in your given budget and you are planning to sit before your PC to listen to the music I believe. See my signature and look which stereo set-ups I am using currently.

I am using 2 active speaker set-up and seriously my active speaker set-up rivals my PSB Image B6 set-up in which I have spent like close to 1 Lac. But this is only my take on it. YMMV

You can audition passive speakers and amps combo in your city to eliminate further confusions or so.

 

[shuv]

If the setup is primarily for music, forget about AVRs. Integrated amplifier and a pair of BS or actives are the way to go. Use something like this 2Rca Male to 3.5 mm Stereo Cable 1.5 meter laptop pc: Amazon.in: Electronics to connect your sound card and the amplifier/active speaker.

I've very limited exposure to active setups. But the same rule applies everywhere GIGO.

 

[stryik3r]

Abhi: Yes, I am planning to sit before my Pc to listen to the music. If i choose active speakers setup, which one do you recommend ?

Shuv: Can you please give me some good recommendation ?